DECODE ~ GHOST [Editing]

23| TV

The melancholy rendition of the national anthem echoed to a close as the soldiers around me reclined into their seats. Their eyes were trained on the sight of the king, his embellished appearance looked nearly stodgy compared to the hollowed out cheeks of our own, our skinny statures and our bodies made for fighting. Exhaustion started to nag at me whilst he made his speech about how brave we are, and its the same fucking speech the royal family always do. How we're so brave giving up our lives in sacrifice, how we're deserving of every medal that's given to us tonight, all this that and the other.

To be honest, I was sick of the extravagance.

I wanted to be out there, fighting my way through every possible condition with the ones I call my squamates, not here in fucking England listening to some shitty speech he'd borrowed. In fact, I was so zoned out, I hadn't even realised he was talking about me until Simon forced my chin upwards and made me sit properly. "I am pleased to announce the promotion of Sergeant Spencer Thompson, who will now be regarded as Colour Sergeant Thompson," His eyes didn't quite meet mine, he had no fucking clue who I was.

"And, for her indomitable bravery whilst behind enemy lines," The king carried on, his voice echoed hard around the hall, and everyone watched with such admiration for our monarch that it was actually impressive. He looked the type of man that would smack my hand when I reached for some extra sweets on halloween, but that was just me. "For putting herself in harms way to rescue not one, but two soldiers, making use of close quarters combat and guerrilla techniques," I knew he was on about Las Almas, and I'm just surprised none of the other lads had received medals for it, either.

My ears pricked up as I realised it was me he spoke about. I was one of the many few women in the room, and I was the only one called Spencer, so why was I surprised he was talking about me? Maybe, just maybe, I didn't deserve to win a medal. I don't think anything I did was too extraordinary. I'd do it all again without a second thought. Hell, I'd do it for someone I'd just met.

"Colour Sergeant Thompson has been an example of dexterity and resilience, and the indomitable human spirit and that's why today, I have the upmost honour of presenting her with the most prestigious award I can merit, the Victoria Cross," He said, and everyone stood up.

They all clapped over me whilst I struggled to process what the fuck he had just said. The last time someone had a VC was in 2015, when they weren't on covert missions, and yet I was getting one. And a fucking promotion? I'm sorry what the fuck has happened? Was I actually dead right now, because I think that would make way more sense than me winning a medal right now. Oh, don't forget the promotion.

Simon's hand gripped my elbow which was closest to his, whilst Alex opted for the other, "C'mon, I'll walk you up," he offered. And, if I wasn't such an arrogant fucker, I'd have accepted it.

"No, thank you, I want to walk up there myself." I told him and watched as everyone followed my slow, unsteady movements as I made my way down the hall. Their eyes, along with the King's were on me, "I might be a while, boss!" I told him, "You may as well start doing another one," I tried to offset the attention on me, because I hated it more than anything. King Charles the Third just chuckled at me, not condescendingly, as though he actually appreciated my self deprecating jokes.

By the time I'd actually reached the steps, I was surprised people were still clapping. I knew I'd not be able to climb the stairs in my skirt, so I just hitched it up discretely. My movements were less strong now, and I opted for one hand to remain poised out in front of me in case I toppled over. No matter what, I'd get up those fucking steps. Mark my words.

I got to the top through pain and determination, my iron will - as the king had called it - and straightened my back as I marched across to the King before I saluted him. Every movement I took hurt, and I really hope it wasn't painfully obvious towards any others as he shook my hand and used his other to hand the medal across to me.